A world-renowned conservation centre being investigated for animal abuse in Langley, B.C., was issued a care order by SPCA cruelty investigators several weeks ago, an agency spokesperson says.
Marcie Moriarty, general manger of cruelty investigations, told ctvbc.ca the written notification was given to the Mountain View Conservation Centre during the SPCA's first visit to the facility two weeks ago "with respect to care of animals on the property."
She said the centre has complied with the order, but the agency's investigation is continuing. The agency did not seize any animals during its visit, but did interview several employees. This is the first complaint the SPCA has received about the centre.
An investigation into the centre's methods was launched after the SPCA received a complaint from Zoo Check, an animal protection charity dedicated to monitoring the "interests and well-being of wild animals."
"That complaint is in respect to allegations about neglected animals and past concerns about euthanization," Moriarty said.
"Our primary concern is to address any current issues there may be in terms of animal care and we will investigate allegations of improper euthanasia in the extent we are able to," she said.
Owner Gordon Blankstein has been cooperating fully with the investigation, she added.
Eight former employees spoke out against Mountain View this weekend, saying the facility failed to properly care for dozens of injured and dying animals by not calling a veterinarian.
The group forwarded a complaint to Zoo Check in Toronto because they thought they would be ignored by the B.C. SPCA, Zoo Check spokesperson Julie Woodyear told CTV News.
Allegations
Todd Streu, who is representing the group, said the facility has improperly euthanized animals on numerous occasions.
"If an animal becomes sick for whatever reason, if it's suffering, injured, malnourished or even just naturally dying, vets are typically not called," he said.
Centre spokesman Malcolm Weatherston denies any wrongdoing.
"The people here have been working for 23 years, we've never had a complaint like this," he said. "Our programs are world renowned for their success."
The group has compiled case files dating back to 2004. The employees say they are only coming forward now because they recently became unionized, and feel their jobs will be protected.
Break-in
Meanwhile, the Langley RCMP confirmed Monday they received a complaint from Blankstein December 10 about a break-in at Mountain View's office.
Mounties found no evidence of forced entry into the facility. Blankstein told CTV News files were stolen during the incident.
With files from CTV British Columbia's Lisa Rossington
